1956 Map of Heceta Head

About this map

Heceta Head Lighthouse stands as a prominent sentinel on the Lane County coast, marking a landscape where the Siuslaw National Forest meets the Pacific Ocean. This mid-century survey illustrates the era's balance between conservation and coastal accessibility along the Oregon Coast Highway. The terrain is characterized by a series of coastal lakes, including Mercer Lake, Sutton Lake, and Munsel Lake, which are separated from the surf by extensive Sand Dunes. To the south, the confluence of the Siuslaw River and the North Fork Siuslaw River reveals a maritime economy evidenced by Cannery Hill and the Coast Guard Station. Interior ridges like Cummins Ridge and Blue Ridge rise sharply from the drainage basins of Tenmile Creek and Big Creek, while coastal landmarks such as the Sea Lion Caves and Sea Lion Point underscore the region's natural geological features before extensive modern development.